Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) has made significant advancements in providing accessible resources for OHS professionals. As part of our commitment to enhancing knowledge sharing, we are pleased to introduce the BOK Audio Chapters. Developed as a response to the need for a comprehensive understanding of work-related safety and health, the OHS Body of Knowledge for Generalist OHS Professionals (OHS BoK) is now available in an audio format, allowing you to conveniently access the chapters anywhere, anytime. With the AIHS taking ownership of the publication, the BOK Audio Chapters undergo continuous maintenance and development, ensuring they reflect the latest OHS research and practices. Join us in fostering a culture of safety and well-being in the workplace by accessing the BOK Audio Chapters and empowering yourself with essential knowledge.
Upon registering, you will be able to access the audio chapters via your learning platform.
Chapter 6.1: Global Concept Health
Along with ‘work’ and ‘safety’, ‘health’ is one of the global concepts of occupational health and safety (OHS) practice. This chapter explains how the concept of health expanded to include psychological health as well as physical health. It differentiates between the biomedical model that defines health negatively as ‘absence of disease’ and the biopsychosocial model that inspires positive health, linkage of ‘health’ and ‘wellbeing,’ and replacement of the traditionally dominant OHS safety paradigm with a holistic health paradigm inclusive of safety. After reviewing historical associations between work and health(link is external) and examining the biopsychosocial approach and its compatibility with positive psychology 2.0, the chapter considers health in today’s workplace. It provides a conceptual model of workplace health that OHS professionals can adapt to their organisational circumstances and draws on the workplace impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to illustrate application of the model.
Keywords: Health, wellbeing, ill-health, work, workplace, disability, mental health, psychological health,
biopsychosocial model
Current Version: 2021
The written chapter can be viewed and downloaded at https://www.ohsbok.org.au/(link is external)
Chapter 6: Global concept: Health. (n.d.). The OHS Body of Knowledge. https://www.ohsbok.org.au/chapter-6-1-global-concept-health/
Course Details
Cost: AIHS Members $27.50 | Non Members $49.50
Format: Audio Chapter
CPD Points: 1
